Multi-use Fireline Handtool

Author

Bruce W. Bernard Jr, Central Washington UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2016

Department

Mechanical Engineering Technology

Committee Chair

Charles Pringle

Second Committee Member

Roger Beardsley

Third Committee Member

Dr. Craig Johnson

Abstract

A wildland firefighter is a valuable resource to protecting public lands and managing fuels. The many hand tools used by firefighters aid in their ability to complete any required tasks effectively. Several of the tools available are specially purposed for individually grubbing, scraping, or liming. A small squad of firefighters could become a more effective resource if the tools they carried could perform several of these purposes as one single tool. To improve the effectiveness of an individual on the fireline a multi-use hand tool was designed to include an axe for liming and a heavy duty scraper for grubbing and scraping simultaneously. The construction of the tool illustrated many hands on skills and resources available in the Mechanical Engineering Technologies department. In order for this multi-use tool to improve work on a fire, the tool head must show great endurance and resistance to failure despite heavy use. Analysis was done to ensure the dimensions and material of the tool head would meet these requirements. The structure of the tool is tested for failure in the form of fractures, chips, and deformations after certain loads are applied. Field testing will show how the new multi-tool will remove a greater volume of soil with less effort than similar tools available. Wildland firefighter will now have tool to construct line, mop-up, and manage fuels for fires without requiring several tools being carried.

Recommended Citation

Bernard, Bruce W. Jr, "Multi-use Fireline Handtool" (2016). All Undergraduate Projects. 4.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/undergradproj/4

Comments

Senior Project Web Page: http://bernardb3.wix.com/cwusenior